Computer Experiments

Ursula Abresch

Ursula was born in Argentina, and raised in Argentina and in Chile. She moved to the United States to attend university, and eventually moved permanently to Canada. She has a degree in Education with a concentration in Art and History. She is currently the Artistic Director at the VISAC Gallery of Art in Trail, British Columbia. Outside of that, she dedicates most of her time to photography. Her ultra detailed close up photography allows evidence of some previous weather conditions to be seen from features such as water droplets.

This image uses contrasts of vibrant colours with a blurred background in a way that emphasises the detail within the image. From this we can see that the droplets of water have covered the flower where it had previously rained. Contrasts can be seen within this image. The blue and white colours clash in a way that create patterns around the flower. The light can be seen shinning through the petals on the flower causing the image to have different colour tones. The addition of the water droplets cause the image of the flower to become more visually interesting as a result.

This image uses light and tone in order to show the detail within the image. The light enhances the colour within the image and allows us to see the individual droplets of water from where it has previously rained. Formal elements such as lines and pattern can be seen within this image. The lines of the flower split off into different directions creating a pattern on the flower. The spaces in-between the flower allow for water droplets to be formed on the flower which can give the flower a sparkle effect.

This image uses contrasts of bright colours in order to show evidence of movement. The bright whit currents in the water clash with the darker forest colours in a way that highlights the movement of the water. The contrast of the white water against the forest background create an interesting effect where the water can be seen cutting through the image and the environment. The light in the image has been used to give everything a soft tone and texture. This soft tone makes the contrast of the river stand out more. Tone can also be used to show the journey of the river. The brighter side to the right is the start and as the water journeys, the image becomes darker.

This image uses light in a way that emphasises the water droplets on the transparent surface. From this we can see each droplet in great detail and with the cloud backdrop we can see that it has rained previously. The colour tones change gradually throughout the image. The right side of the image, the grey tones, is a contrast of the left side of the image, the bright blue sky. This change in tone can be used to show the audience what has just happened and what is about to happen within the image. It has just rained within the image and the weather is about to be clear again. This is supported by the use of water droplets on a clear umbrella.

Summary:

Ursula manages to use light and contrasts of bright colours in a way that shows extreme detail in the image. This focus within her images allows the audience to pay attention to some of the themes that are present within the image such as weather. She is able to achieve interesting results with her images by incorporating formal elements such as tone, texture and contrast into her images. This causes the images to become more visually interesting as a result.

Influence:

 I can replicate this style by focusing on highly detailed images that will focus on individual features such as water droplets in order to show evidence of different environments. I will also like to focus on using texture was a key formal element when recreating this style of work.

This image uses the light being cast across the surface to capture the vast detail of the image. The white wall creates a contrast against the green algae. This highlights that the wall has been surrounded by moisture and has been there a while, judging by the amount of algae and damage to the wall.

Print Techniques

Work Diary Shoot 8

Today I used the studio to shoot some more portraits of a number of people. I would later use the portraits and edit them in photoshop. I was able to give the people cuts and bruises across their face as a result in an effort to show evidence of injury. I wanted to experiment by showing different examples of injury and different composition.

I decided to use this image because of the way the lighting and composition are used to show injury. I was able to use the light against the dark background in a way that emphasised the injures on the face. The bright light on the face really bring out the colour of the bruising in a way that makes the subject of the image more visually striking. The dark light also implies that the person may have been attempting to hide his injuries, as is a common occurrence within this theme. I wanted to look to better represent the emotional implications of injury through this.

I used a black and white filter in this image in a way that works with the lighting and background to highlight the injuries on the persons' face. The filter also allows the depth of the scar to be more prominent and seem more realistic. The simple contrast in dark and light colours allow for a more interesting image as a result. Tone is clearly an important element within the image. I have used it as a way of showing things that have come to light that were previously being hidden away. I used a black and white filter to better show the tone. The dark colour tones also reflect the dark subject matter.

Progression:

If I were to do this again, I would look to incorporate other forms of injury into the images. I could use photoshop to create cuts and scars but I would probably look to use make up and practical effects. I would like to also use bandages with the image. For my next shoot I would like to look at evidence of movement. I will show this through the use of a photomontage.

Bobby Neel Adams

Bobby Neel Adams was born in Black Mountain, North Carolina and presently resides in Arizona on the Mexico Border. He has exhibited worldwide and his photographs are in the collections of: International Center for Photography, NY, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Station Museum, diRosa Foundation, and the Norton Family Foundation to name a few. Adams has received grants and awards from the Aaron Siskind Foundation, LEF Foundation, MacDowell Art Colony and the Hermitage. His book Broken Wings was published by the Greenville Museum in 1997. Adams is currently working on a series of Memento Mori photographs of insects, birds, and mammals. Adams' work conveys evidence by showing a contrast in age by having a portrait of a person being shown at different ages.

This image uses a contrast in age by showing the same person. Both sides are wearing the same clothes. We can see that light has been used in order to enhance the wrinkles on the person's face and as a result makes the difference in age more noticeable. Form is a strong feature within this image as it is used to enhance the shadows within the image. The added detail to the image allows for the contrasts within the image to be more noticeable. This enhanced detail makes it easier for wrinkles and other age defining features to be seen and compared with the more pure, younger version of themselves.

This picture uses contrasts of dark colours against a whit background in order to make the image stand out more. Against the dark background, features such as grey hair become more prominent and show age in a more obvious way. This contrast is further enhanced through the use of colour. The younger person's squinting within the portrait appears brighter while the older version appears to be more darker. This may suggest that the child is brighter because the child is more pure and innocent. The older version is darker because the colour tone may reflect masculinity while also suggesting that the older version is more worn.

This image attempts to show the change in age in a more striking way. A different background has been used with a different tones on the face in a way that creates a clear contrast between the young and old image. Tone is a key formal element within this image. The image goes right to left through light to dark. The shadows on the side of the older portrait's face can be used to enhance age-defining features such as wrinkles, but it can also be used to show how time is passing and the person is ageing. This would explain why he appears brightest when he is younger but as the image moves to the older version, his face grows darker.

This image uses a black and white image in order to blend the tones of the images together. The black and white filter allows for the wrinkles on the older face to be more prominent and it shows age more effectively as a result. The black and white filter within the image highlight more of the differences between the two images. The image on the left appears be paler than the portrait on the right, suggesting that the person has become more withered with age. The change in eye colour from a bold black colour is changed to a paler, empty colour, highlighting how the person has aged and his innocence has been removed.

Summary:

Adams is able to show the evidence in age by using contrasts of old and new pictures. This approach offers a visually striking image that can attract audiences eyes by showing some key formal elements. The effect of the image is achieved through blending two images into one. This creates a more interesting example of contrast as a result because the images blend seamlessly. This technique can be used in order to cause people to define clear examples of ageing such as wrinkles and can be used to show evidence of the child growing up.

Influence:

 I would replicate this style of evidence by ageing people in photoshop and comparing different ages. I could achieve some interesting results while incorporating interesting formal elements to produce a more visually interesting result.

I was able to recreate some of the key aspects of Bobby Neel Adam's photography. I was able to show a striking contrast between old and young. I was able to show this within a single portrait that matches together seamlessly. Tone of the image is used in order to show wrinkles and other defining features of ageing by enhancing the shadows upon the face. Since I was not able to create a version where I compared an old photo of a younger person with an updated, recent image, I was forced to go in the opposite direction and create an older version through photoshop.

Shoot 8 Straight Images

Shoot 7 Work Diary

Today I focused on working in the studio in order to gain some detailed portrait photographs of a number of people. I then took the images that and edited them in photoshop. My idea was to age each person dramatically and compare the difference in appearance. I did this in order  to demonstrate the evidence of ageing within the images.

I chose this image because it shows a moderate example of ageing where I have decided only to age the person slightly in order make the image look more convincing. The image shows contrast of old and young with other contrasts of dark and light colours. The light in the image is used to further highlight the difference in age. This reveals more of the wrinkles and other age defining features. The change in skin tone from dark to pale shows how the person has become more withered as they became older.

This image shows a more extreme example of ageing. I have managed to age the person considerably so there is more of a visually striking example of contrast. Form is used in the image to highlight the more extreme examples of ageing such as the wrinkles and sagging skin. Tone is a significant part of making the person seem older. The image slowly begins to get darker as he gets older suggesting that he is losing his purity and is becoming more withered as he grows older.

Progression:

I was able to successfully utilise photoshop while showing evidence of age. I would like to find different ways of showing the contrast in age. I could achieve this by showing two different portrait pictures side-by-side. For my next shoot I would like to use similar techniques to show evidence of injury through cuts and bruises.

Shoot 7 Straight Images

Shoot 6 Work Diary

Today I went out looking to focus on evidence of ageing in the environment. I initially set out with the aim of photographing abandoned buildings. As the shoot carried on I was able to show evidence while showing it with a mix of plant life and urban environments. I was able to get a good amount of pictures that show a good amount of variation.

I chose this picture because it shows in great detail how moss has grown on the bricks over time. The picture shows contrast between plant life and urban areas causing the picture to appear more eye catching. There are contrasts between the different colours used within the image. The green within the image suggest connotations of health and nature while the brown colours of the brickwork suggest dull tones. There is a pattern within the plantlike as lines are formed as a result of the plantlike growing out of the brick.

This picture shows evidence of how the structure has aged judging from the faded and chipped paint and broken locks. The picture also shows some evidence of abandonment as the doors have been busted open. The picture shows elements of pattern between the three blue doors. A clear example of contrast can be seen within the image. The door on the far left remains open, creating a dark black colour. This is interesting as it shows that the place is abandoned and it also causes the audience to question what is inside the building out of curiosity.

Progression:

In my next shoot I would like to look at this topic again while using other methods such as multiple imagery to create an interesting image. For my next shoot I would like to show ageing of people. I can accomplish this by photos photoshopping an image in order to make them look older.

Shoot 6 Straight Images